kropff



11 1931- w. KROPFF CASH REGISTER Filed March 5. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l lnucn 1% oz Wilhelm Kropf? g 11 1931. w. KROPFF OASE REGISTER F'i1ed March 5, 1928 nown%ov Wilhelm Kropf By WM Hi! fitter n 214.46

Patentecl Aug. 11, 1931 UNETE STATES PATENT FF'FCE WILHELM KROPFF, OF BERLIN-CIIARLO'EITENBURG, GERMANY, ASSIGI\TOR T0 {EHE NA- TINAL OASE REGISTER COMPANY OB DAYTON, OIIIO, A CORPORA'IION OF MARY- LAND CASH REGISTER Applieation filed March 5, 1928, Serial N0.

This inventi0n relates to cash registers and the 1i'ke machines, and is more particularly dire0te'd 120 printing mechanisms f0r such machines.

It is an object ofthis invention to provide a printing dedce with a novel means f01 shifting the record strip from a p0sit-i0n in Whic'h ehe last impression is visib1e to the operator, to the pi*oper position in which t0 make the nex-t succeeding impression.

Another object is 130 provide a nove1 feeding mecl1m1lsm f0r the record strip.

With these and inoidental objects in view, t-he invention consists of certain novel featur-es of construction and combinations 0f parts, the essential elements of which are set f0xfh in a'ppended claims and a preferred forma 01 embodimant of Which is hereinafter describad with reference to the drawings which accompany and forma part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a view in 1eft elevation 0f t-he printing device.

Fig. 2 -is a detail view of the paper shifting device in its normal position.

Fig. 3 is a view of the pape'r shifting device in partially operatecl position.

Fig 4: is a detail view cf the paper shifting device in its fu1ly operated position, wherein Ehe paper is in position t0 receive the impression.

Described in genarz xl terms, the invention includes a platen roller and a paper feed roher mounted on a rocking impression arm. The impression arm is adapted t0 be rocked t0 take impressions from a group 0f type wheels set up b the macnine t0 which the ressnt invention is adaptec. to b-e applied. lich a machine is illustrated and described in Letters Patent of the nited Staces t0 Thomas Carroll, N0. 751,611, issued February 9, 1904, and N0. 792,194, issed June 13, 1905, und Letters Patent, N0. 1,360,151 issued t0 B. M. Shipley, November 23, 1920.

259,284, and in Germany Marh 26, 1927.

B1oadl;1 stated, the nmchine in connection wish Which t-he present invention is illustrated, includes manipulave devices, as keys 01 Eevers, by which the operator sets up the amoun to be registered, und thereafter opemtes a crank or trips a motor t0 turn the main drive shaft 63. The main drive shaft effects tne regisration cf the totalizer 0f the amount set up by the manipulative devices, alt-ers the indicating mechanism L0 display the amount set up by t-he manipulative devices, sets the type ca1riers into position t0 print Ehe amount set up, and efiec.s the imprint 01x a suitable record strip.

In the particular form herein shown, the record strip feading me'chanism is associated with the impression mechanism, so as t0 be set for operation by the preparation 0f the record strip for pfinting, and is operated as the record strip impression mechanism restores so its normal position.

As the present invention re1ates solely t0 the record strip printing and feeding mechanism, further reference to the ot-her features 0f the machine may be omitted.

- 1f a complete understanding of t11e machin 0f the type to which the present invention is shown applied, is desirecl, reference n1ay be had t0 the above patents.

The record strip passes from the supply roll forwardly around the impression platen, thence over an autograph table and back 110 a rewind roll.

A transparent plate located in the usua1 enclosing cabinet, above the autograph tab1e permits the operato1 to view the last few entries made, but prohibits access thereto. However, the transparent guard place is cut away at one poi1'1t 130 enable the operator 130 make a nota ion an the record strip to one side cf and in line with the place where the next amount Will be printed.

As the printing mechanism is located directly benea th the autograph table, it is neoessary to provide means operable ab each plates 88 fast 011 the respective ty pe whee'ls 75 t0 ahne the tv e wheels ar1d hold them agamst movement- W1111@ the u11press1on 1s bemg taken tl1erefrom.

Paper fed Tl1e paper or record strip is advanced 011e s at each operation 01? tl1e machine, Co p-rssent a 11ew printing position to tl1e type, by intermittently urning the receiving 01' paper fsed roll 59 (Fig. 1) as follows:

Will be remembersd tl1atth e stud W1'1i011 supports tl1e rotatable receiviag roll 59 is mounted 011 an extensia11 from the impression arm 50, and cor1sequently, this roll 59 rocks first clockwise and t11e11 munterclockwise at each oparation 01 tha machine.

4 ratchet wl1eel 90, suitably connected with the immer end ofthe receiving 01 feed roll 59, cooperates W1il1 a spring-pressed pawl 91 pivotsd 011 a sind 92 mounted 011 a pawl-carr: arm 93, piv0ted 011 tl1e stud 60. A. bridle 11111; 94 (Figs. 9, 3 a11d 4) pivoted at 011a e11d 011 an adjustable ecccr1tric sind 95 1011111ed in tl1e sta'tionary bracket' 43, is pivoted at its other end to the pawl-carry- 111g arm 93 ab a polnt eccentric 10 the pivotal support of Ehe pawl-carrying arm 93, in such marmer bl1at, wl1en tl1e impression arm 50, wl1ich carries the sind 60 011 which the pawlcarrying arm 93 is mounted, is rocked clockwise 130 make an impression, the restraining influence er" tl1e b1'1d1e 1111k 94 011 the pawlcarrying arm 93 causes (he latter 10 rock counter-clockwiss aboutthe stud (SO. This aravel 0f l1e pawl-carrying arm 93 draws the pawl 91 backwardly to the next notch 01 che ratchet 90 0r tl1at nocch t0 the left 0f the position sl1own 111 31g. 1. A comparison 01 the relative positions of the pawl-cwving arm 93 and its restraining er brrldle 11111; 94 in eh-a positions shown in Figs. 2 and 4, respecth ely, sl1ows that the arm 93 a11d link 94 form in e1fect a toggle mechanism, Wl110l1 is somewhat straightened as the oparatinp; lever 50 roclrs clockwise, and is fiexed 01 bent as the operating leve-r rocks counter-clockwise.

A pawl 98 pivoted a1: 97 to the impression arm 50, cooperac-es with the rac'chet 90, to grcve11 retrograde movement 0f the ratcl1et wbeel 90 ar1d the faed roll 59. Tlae combined effec 01 the impression arm 50 and thebridle link 94 up0n the return 01 the im pression arm from the position shown 111 Fig. 4 10 he normal positionshown 111 Fig. 2, is o rock the pawl-carrying arm 93 clockwise to advance the,ratchet 90 and the receiving 01 feed roll 59 one steP, and thereby advance the reco-rd material to bring a blanl portion t0 the prining line.

Paper shz'ftz'ng mecham'sm The last printed item, together with the notation adjacent thereto, is normally beneath a transparent plate 68 so as t0 be visible laut inaccessible to Ehe 0perator. Tl1e place 0n the record material, where the next 1mpression is t0 be made, lies alongside a writing opening 67. The paper must be shifted before the impression is taken so position that section of the paper which is 150 receive tl1e impression at ehe point directly beneath tl1e previous impression, and alo11gside the auto graphic notation, provided one has been made 0n the strip, adjacent the typa wheels 7 5, and thereafter to shift the paper back so that the impressi-on and autographionotation are be neath the transparent plate a nd inaccessible, but in such position that ehe operator can read them.

Beferring to Fig. 1, 11 the supply roll 41 andthe fsed 01 receiving roll 59 are bald agai11st rotation, wl1ile the shifting lever 47 carrying the, slack forming and take up rollers 46 a11d 58, respectively, is rocked 01001 2- wise, the result Will be t0 shift the record strip 40 a distancs approximately eqnal t0 the distance from the autographic table 57 t0 the printing line 01 the platzen roll 48.

A convenient means f0r so rocking the shifting lever 47 Will now be described.

A toggle 11111; 99, (Figs. 2, 3 a11d 4) 011e e11d 01 which is pivoted at 104 to the pawl-carrying arm 93, is slotted at its opposite end t-0 surround a sind 100 011 the shifting lever 47. A spring 101 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) tensioned between the stud 100 in the shifting lever 47, and the pivot 104111 the arm 93, tends 130 hold the shifting lever 47 with its stud 100 at the right-hand end of the slot 98 in the toggle 111111 99.

As the impression arm 50 ro cks clockwise, and through the link 94, rocks the pawl-carrying arm 93 counter-clockwise, tha toggle 11111: 99 is drawn downwardly towards the posit1011 shown in Fig. 4. In other words, the toggle mechanism comprising the pawlcarrying arm 93 and toggle li11k 99 is flexed. The spring 101, being attached t0 the pawlcarrying arm 93, pulls the shifting lever 47 along with it, thereby rocking the sl1ifting lever in a clockwise direction about 1ts fulcrum 42 until a nose 102 011 the upper end of the shifting lever 47 contact-s an elongated shoulder 103 on tl1e pawl-carrying arm 93. The parts are shown in such positions 111 F1g. 3. The shifting lever 47 .is so proportioned, and the slackening roll 58 and the take-up roll 46 are so located thereon, that the clockwise travel of the lever 47 is sufficient to shift the record strip from the reading Position t0 the proper printing Position. After the shifting oi the paperhas been completed, the impression arm 50 is rocked farther to bring the p1acen roll into cont-act with the type Wheels 75 to take the impression. As the arm 50 is rocked t0 take the impression, the pawl-carrying arm 93 is rocked from the osition shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 'L. This latter movement 0f the arm 93 carries the feed pawl 91 farther a factor of safety relative 130 the pick-up 0f the ratchet by the pawl when the arts are restored to normal positions, thus positively insuring the proper fsed 0f ths paper.

The above montioned movements of the arm und ths pawl:carrying arm must be made without moving tho shifting lever 47 past the position shown in Fig. 3, and the provision of the slot 98 in thc toggle link 99 permits the pawLcarrying arm 93 to sontinue its counter-clockwise travol relatively to the shifting levcr 4:7, tho pa'\vlcarrying arm drawing with it the togglo link 99 relatively to oho stud 100, to the position shown in F igure 4-, and morely stretching the spring 101 as it does so. The shoulder 108 011 the pawl-carrying arm 93 is of such extent and is concentric with the fulcrum of the pawlcarrying arm, so as to continue to prevent farrhor travel of ehe shifting lever 47 as the pawl-carrying arm completes its retracting movement.

i\lovement 015 tho impression arm 50 from the position shown in 3 to tha shown in Fig. L, theroforc, does not feed or shift the record matcria], bnt serves on1y to bring the platen 48, carrying tho record maerial, into contnct with tho prerionsly sdjusted type whoels to (ako tho in1gression therefrom.

IW1en tho impression arm 50 retnrns to its normal position, (1ho pawl-carrying arm 93 rocks clockwise nbout its pivot 00 1 0 advanc-e the ratchet wheel 90 and the feed roll 59 one step. At tho snme timo, fl1e "rogglo Irin]; 99 movcd upwardly nnti] he inner end of tho s]ot 98 thercin contacts tho sind 100 in the shifting lever 41-7, sftor which continued t-ravel of fhe pawl-carrying arm 93 in 010010 wise direction rocks tho shifing lever -l-7 counter-clookwiso to its normal position to shift the pan relativsry fo tbe platon roll 48 :1nd 2 u nph l0b'd so tha the impression, just made, is bonoath the transparent plate 68 opposil e the fahle The sind 100 on itbs shifting levor 457 is adjustablo toward or away from the fulcrum of its 1evsr 47 (o pormit a variation in the throw of fiho levor 4-7, and consequently in ths travel of tho record. matoral from und so the autograph fahle 57.

The eccentric screw stud 95 is also adjustable to pern'ait of acljustment of the normal Position of the bridle link 93, and hence of the length of the step by step advance of ehe record material.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the nove1 features of this invention reside in mounting the supply roll 0n the same stationary support which carries the shifting lever, and apart from the rooking arm 50, also in the provision 0I' novol 1neans to rock the shifting lever; also in ahe means to arrest tho shifting 1ever ab one h'mit of its travel, which arresting means whils prevent- 1ng' f2irther travel of tne shifting lever itse1f continues t0 advance uncil it reachos the end of its travel in one direstion.

While the form, 0f mochanism herein shown and described is admirably adaptod t0 fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be unde1 stood that it is not in,nndsd to confino tho i1wention t0 the one i011n or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is suscopaiblo of embodiment in varions forms all coming within tho scope 0f the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. In a machine of the dass doscribed, the combination with a princing nnit, impression means therefor, and operatin means f0r said impression means, of means actuated by said impression n'sans to a 7wance "che record material upon which the impression i.s m ade step by step, and moans actuated by sai 1 record material advanoing means to s'nift the record material i70 and from the printing line.

2. In a machine of the dass described, the combination Wih a printing unit, and an impression arm having a platon thereon for taking the impression, of moans oporated by the impression arm to shift the record material to and from the printing 11'ne.

3. In a machine of the dass described, the cornbination with a printing slsment, and impression means therefor, of a paper shifting lever, and a toggle for operaning shifting lever, said toggle bein operable by the nnpress1on means.

4-. In a machine of the dass described, the combination With a printing Moment, 21 platen 1nounted on a rockinp; impression arm, means to rock the imprcssion arm so press the platon against the printing element to take improssi0ns 011 record maisria], and a rec rd strip feeding roll carried by said impression arm, of' means t0 fced the r-eoord strip, a lover for shifting the recor i strip (0 and fro, and a ].ink connecting the rooord. stri; feedllig moans with Ehe shifting 1ever in such a munner as to form a toggle, the Hering of which operates the shifting lever.

5. In a prini mechanism, rhe combina tion With a roclim rossio1 momber, a platon carried by said membor, means to rock said member to kake impressions 011 record material, a re :ord strip feod roll, anrl a record strip supply roll, of a record strip shifting lever mounted concentrically with said sup ply roll, a record strip feeding arm mounted concentrically with the feed roll, a link piv- 0ted to said feeding arm and connected to the shifting lsver by a pin and slot connection, and forming Wih the feeding arm a toggle, and a bridle 1ink, one end 0f' Which is pivot-ed t0 a stationary support an the opposite end 0f which is pivoted t0 the feed arm to 0ne side of the fulcrum thereof, in such a manner that the impression member, when rocked t0 take the impression, flexss the toggle to snift the record strip from its visible 130 its printing position.

6. In a machine 0f the dass described; the combination Witl a rocxing impression member; a platen carried by said msmber; means to roek said member t-0 take impressions 011 Tecord material; a record strip feed roll car ried by the impression member; and a record strip supp1y roll; of a record strip shifting lever mounted concentrically with said supp1y roll; a pawl-carrying arm mounted comcentrically with the feed roll; a 1ink pivoted t0 said feeding arm and having a pin and s1otconnectionwith the shifting 1ever, ehe link and ehe pawl-carrying arm forming a toggle; and a bridle link one end 0f which is pivoted to a stationary support and the opposite end 0f Whid1 is pivoted to the feeding arm to one side of the fu1crum thereof, thereby forming a toggle With said feeding arm in such a manner that the impression, member, when rocked to take an impression straightens the lastmentioned toggle which rstracts the f'eeding arm and fiexes the first-mentioned toggle t0 shift the record strip from its visible t0 its printing position.

7. In amachine of the dass described; the combination with a printing element; a rocking impression arm; a platen 011 the impression arm; means 130 rock the impression arm to press the platen against the printing element t0 take impressions 011 record material; and a record strip feeding roll carried by said impression arm; 0j:' means t0 feed the record strip; a lever for shifting therecord strip t0 and from the print-ing nosition; a 1ink connecting the record strip feeding means with the shifting lever in such a manner as to form a toggle, the flexinq and snraighcening 0 5 which operates the shifting:

lever; the rec0rd strip feeding means adapted t0 arrest the shifting 1ever at the end of ifis flexing movement while the record strip feeding means completes it-s fiexing movement.

8. In a machine of the dass described; the combination with a printing unit; impressi0n means therefor; and operating msans for said impression means; 0f means 430 inrermit tently feed record materlal upon Whid1 the impressions are made; means dependent ior its operation upon the feeding means to shift the record material to and from the printing position; and means on said feeding means 9. In. a -printing mechanism, the combinav tion'with a rocking impression member, a platen carried by said member, means to rook said member to take in'1pressions on record material; a record strip feed roll, and a record strip supply roll, 0f a record strip shifting lever mounterl concentrically with said supply roll, a record strip feeding arm mounted concentrically with the feec1 roll, a 1ink pivoted t0 said feeding arm ancl C011- nected t0 the shifting ]ever by a pin and slot connection, t0 form, with be feeding amn, a boggle lever; azid a shnulder on'the feeding arm adapted to arrest movement 0f said shiftirig levcr in one direction, said shou1der being 0f sufficient 1ength to permit the feeding arm t0 cont-inue its movement while arresting the shifting lever against movement.

10. In a machine of ehe dass described, the combination with a printing element; impression means therefor; a record strip feed roll; and a record strip supply roll; 0f means t0 shift the record strip, induding a rocking shifting lever; a record strip feeding arm; a link 130 connect ehe feeding arm and shifting lever, the link having a loose connection wit-h the shifting lev er and a spring 130 connect th-e feed arm and the shifting lever, the feed arm having a shoulder t0 arrest the shifting arm at one limit of its travel, while t-he feed arm continues 130 its limit of travd in one direction.

11. In a machine of the dass described, ehe combination with a printing element; and imprsssion means; 0f a shifting lever to shift the record strip t0 und from the printing 1ine, induding a toggle lever, comprising a driving and a driven 1ink, the driven link having a loose connection wit-h the shifting Iever; and means 130 arrest the shifting Iever at 0ne end of its travel while permitting the driVe link 0f the toggle {CO continue its travd.

12. In a machine of the dass described, the combination with a printing element; and impression means; of a shifting lever 130 shif the record strip t0 and from the printing line induding a toggle lever, comprising a driving and a drivenlink, the driven link having a loose connection With the shifting lever; means t0 arrest the shifting lever ab ons end of its travel while permitting the drive link of the toggle to continue its travel; and yidding means 130 prevent relative movement between the drive link of the toggle and the shifting lever.

13. In a machine 0f the dass dsscribed, the combination with a printing dement; and

impression means to efiect imprints 011 a record strip; 0f means to shift ehe record strip to and from the prmt1ng lme, mduding a toggle lever, comprising a drive 1ink und a driven 1ink, and a shifting lever; a, loose connection between the driven 1ink and the shifting lever; a11d a shoulder 0n the drive link extending concentrically with the fulerumef the dri e link t0 arrest the' shifting lever and permit a continuation 0f movement 0f the drive link 0f the toggle after the arrest 0f the shifting lever.

14. In a machine of the dass described, ehe combination with type carriers; and an impression means to effect an imprint fro1n the type carriers 0n a record strip; 0f a combined rneans to feed the record strip step by step, and to shift the record strip towards and from the printing line, including a shifting lever t0 shift the record strip towards and from the printing line; a driven toggle link connected threto; a driving toggle Link t0 feed the paper step by step; and a bridle link t0 %etermine the travel 0f the driving toggle lin In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILHELM KROPFF. 

